NEIGHBORS

Watch a 2 minute preview of the BORDERS & NEIGHBORS episode. PBS premiere September 29, 2017. BORDERS and NEIGHBORS explore the relationships and influences that Mexican and American craft artists have on each other and their cultures. Filming with over 25... MORE »

Ceramic artist Carlomagno Pedro Martínez on how he learned to work in clay. Preview from NEIGHBORS episode PBS premiere Friday, September 29, 2017.

Artist and muralist Judy Baca on La Memoria de Nuestra Tierra: California 1996, her mural located on the University of Southern California campus about the history of Latinos in Los Angeles. Bonus video from NEIGHBORS episode PBS premiere Friday, September... MORE »

Barbara Carrasco and John M. Valadez on David Alfaro Siqueiros’ mural “América Tropical.” Located at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in downtown Los Angeles, “América Tropical” is the only mural by Siqueiros in the United states still... MORE »

“The Great Wall of Los Angeles” mural by Judy Baca and SPARC (Social and Public Art Resource Center) is a pictorial history of ethnic peoples of California from prehistoric times to the 1950’s. Bonus video from NEIGHBORS episode PBS... MORE »

Master goldsmith Yesenia Yadira Salgado Téllez on the necklace she made for the 2016 Competition for Young Artists at Museo Estatal de Arte Popular Oaxaca. Bonus video from NEIGHBORS episode PBS premiere Friday, September 29, 2017.

Artist and muralist Judy Baca on her Robert F. Kennedy Community School murals titled “Tiny Ripples of Hope” and “Seeing through Others Eyes.” Bonus video from NEIGHBORS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017. Archival courtesy of UCLA.

Jim Bassler reimagines a new vision of a founding father… George Washington woven from feathers and brown cotton from the BORDERS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017

Watch a 2 minute preview of the BORDERS & NEIGHBORS episode. PBS premiere September 29, 2017. BORDERS and NEIGHBORS explore the relationships and influences that Mexican and American craft artists have on each other and their cultures. Filming with over 25... MORE »

BORDERS episode Ofelia Esparza segment, including Self Help Graphics & Art and the Day of the Dead celebration at Grand Park in Los Angeles. PBS premiere: Friday, September 29, 2017

Learn about the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) community altar at Grand Park in Los Angeles, in collaboration with Self Help Graphics & Art. Preview from BORDERS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017

Enrique Ramirez Castellanos, paper maker at Taller Arte Papel, on the plants used to make paper at Taller Arte Papel, located in San Agustín Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico. Bonus video from BORDERS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017

Jim and Veralee Bassler on the Guelaguetza Festival and living in Oaxaca, Mexico. Preview from BORDERS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017

Veralee Bassler and her former students celebrate the Oaxacan culture in Los Angeles. Berenice Castellanos and José Alberto Jarquín talk about Veralee as their high school teacher. Bonus video from BORDERS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017

Teotitlán del Valle local Riguel Montaño on Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Oaxaca and remembering those who have passed. Bonus video from BORDERS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017 (check local listings)

Watch a 1 minute preview of the Craft in America: BORDERS episode. PBS premiere September 29, 2017 (check local listings). BORDERS: Explore the connections between Mexico and the United States. Featuring master altar maker Ofelia Esparza and Self Help Graphics... MORE »

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: TEACHERS episode. TEACHERS highlights renowned individuals who are committed to their own artistic visions and are equally committed to sharing their skills and passion for craft with new generations... MORE »

Watch a 1 minute preview of the Craft in America: TEACHERS episode. TEACHERS highlights renowned individuals who are committed to their own artistic visions and are equally committed to sharing their skills and passion for craft with new generations... MORE »

Assistant Professor of Ceramic Art, Matt Kelleher on teaching at Alfred University

MUSIC

Museum director Dick Boak shows special guitars in the Martin Guitar Museum, including one made in 1834 and ones made for Johnny Cash, Jimmie Rodgers, Eric Clapton, and for craft artists Goro Takahashi and George Nakashima. Bonus video from... MORE »

Joan Baez speaks about activism, her 1972 trip to Hanoi, and the guitar as an instrument of change. Bonus video from the Martin Guitar segment of the MUSIC episode. PBS premiere November 20, 2015. Archival Courtesy of Bettmann/Corbis, National... MORE »

Watch a 2 minute preview of the Craft in America: MUSIC episode. MUSIC features finely crafted handmade instruments and the world renowned artists who play them. MUSIC features interviews and performances from Joan Baez, Rhiannon Giddens, Director of the Count Basie Orchestra Scotty... MORE »

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: MUSIC episode. MUSIC features finely crafted handmade instruments and the world renowned artists who play them. MUSIC features interviews and performances from Joan Baez, Rhiannon Giddens, Director of the Count Basie Orchestra Scotty... MORE »

William L. Ellis and his father Tony Ellis talk about learning to play music, how a Scottish village inspired Tony’s fiddle tune “Plockton Aire,” parlor banjo history, and family influences, including how Tony’s grandmother played him lullabyes on the... MORE »

MUSIC episode Geoff Stelling Banjos & Tony Ellis segment

Banjo maker Jim Hartel talks about craft, of making things daily by hand, and his experience stone carving in India. Bonus video from the MUSIC episode. PBS premiere November 20, 2015. (check local listings.) Archival Courtesy of Dr. Robert... MORE »

Rhiannon Giddens talks about and sings her minstrel tune “Better Git Yer Learning” and tells of the struggle for education by newly freed slaves. Bonus video from the MUSIC episode. PBS premiere November 20, 2015. (check local listings.) Archival... MORE »

David Monette talks about his trumpet making philosophy (resonance and intimacy) and works with Scotty Barnhart, along with Feldenkrais practitioner Alice Boyd, to “re-set” Scotty’s body and have him “flowing, way more than before.” Bonus video from the MUSIC... MORE »

Banjo maker Jim Hartel shows us old banjos, derived from instruments made by African slaves, plays the minstrel tune “Jim Along Josie,” and tells about turn-of-the-century banjo models and playing styles. Bonus video from the MUSIC episode. PBS premiere... MORE »

Tony Ellis plays “Becky Thatcher Waltz” (with Geoff Stelling on bass, William L. Ellis on guitar, and Louise Adkins on pump organ) and tells a story about the Becky Thatcher riverboat. Bonus video from the MUSIC episode. PBS premiere... MORE »

MUSIC episode Joseph Pereira & Jason Ginter timpani segment

MUSIC episode David Monette Trumpets & Scotty Barnhart segment

CELEBRATION

Watch a 2 minute preview of Craft in America: CELEBRATION episode. CELEBRATION features lion dancers and float builders for San Francisco’s acclaimed Chinese New Year Parade, artists in Michigan making ceramics for the holidays at Pewabic (Detroit) and Motawi Tileworks (Ann... MORE »

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: CELEBRATION episode. CELEBRATION features lion dancers and float builders for San Francisco’s acclaimed Chinese New Year Parade, artists in Michigan making ceramics for the holidays at Pewabic (Detroit) and Motawi... MORE »

Christina Devlin and Sherlyn Hunter talk about the Detroit People Mover installation created using Pewabic tiles. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 11, 2015. (check local listings) Archival courtesy of Pancioli.

David Thomas and Stephanie Mufson of East West Floats talk about the terra cotta warrior figures on the Hilton float created for the Chinese New Year parade. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 11, 2015. (check... MORE »

Curator Josephine Shea and Director of the Detroit Insitute of Arts Graham Beal on the Diego Rivera mural at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 11, 2015. (check local listings) Archival... MORE »

Papercut artist Yumei Hou tells how she learned paper-cutting from her mother and how she creates her intricate designs. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 11, 2015. (check local listings) Archival images courtesy of Yumei Hou.

Sculptor Yumei Hou talks about creating the large ram head on a Chinese New Year parade float. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 11, 2015. (check local listings)

Artist Malik Seneferu dresses a table for Kwanzaa, teaching us the meaning and intention behind the placement of objects. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 2015. (check local listings.)

Dave Zink shows us Pewabic’s filter press and talks about how they prepare their clay. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 11, 2015. (check local listings)

Doll maker and soft sculptor Annette F. Brown talks about doll making, a tradition in her family for 30 years, and celebrating Kwanzaa through handmade gifts and family history. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 11,... MORE »

Corey Chan talks about symbolism of various objects in the Chinese New Year parade and lion and dragon dances. Bonus video from the CELEBRATION episode. PBS premiere December 11, 2015. (check local listings)

CELEBRATION episode Kwanzaa segment

CELEBRATION episode Motawi Tileworks segment

CELEBRATION episode Yoshiko Yamamoto segment

SERVICE

Watch a 30 second preview of the SERVICE episode of Craft in America. From the origins of the Army Arts and Crafts Program and the G.I. Bill to contemporary soldiers and veterans, SERVICE documents craft in the military and... MORE »

On Sunday, September 6, 2015, the Craft in America House Band performed an evening of music at the Craft and Folk Art Museum for the closing reception of the exhibition, “Art and Other Tactics: Contemporary Craft by Artist Veterans,”... MORE »

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jennifer Vollbrecht was a 19-year-old helicopter crew chief and door gunner in Iraq and is one of the few and proud women to wear the Combat Insignia. Her story is part of the Paper Dolls... MORE »

U.S. Navy veteran Kelly McFarland explains the details and importance of a Chief Petty Officer’s uniform. Her story is part of the Paper Dolls book, featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America.

U.S. Army veteran Luana Ritch, featured in the Paper Dolls book in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America, tells of suffering in the cold of Korea because women were not issued cold weather gear as “women were not... MORE »

Senior Horse Tack Specialist Eugene Burks Jr. shows the importance of the Line of Draft of the caisson horses working in Arlington National Cemetery. The caissons are featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America.

SERVICE episode Caissons segment

SERVICE episode Army Arts and Crafts segment

SERVICE episode G.I. Bill artists segment

Ceramic artist and Marine Corps veteran Ehren Tool, who is featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America, goes to Vietnam to visit the land where his father fought and makes cups from the red clay found there.

The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America, is a world class gallery and community outreach center.

On his last day in the caisson unit at Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Army specialist Tyler Meyers reflects on his service and introduces us to his favorite horse, Rowdy. The caissons are featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft... MORE »

SERVICE episode Paper Dolls segment

SERVICE episode Judas Recendez segment

SERVICE episode Peter Voulkos segment

Retired Brigadier General Nolen Bivens, featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America, introduces us to veterans who are using the G.I. Bill to study at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. These artists are Jeremiah... MORE »

HOLIDAY

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: HOLIDAY episode. Embrace traditions, both familiar and new – all part of our American experience with the handmade. Featuring ceramic artist Susan Garson, Garcia Art Glass, paper artist Kathleen... MORE »

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: FORGE episode. Exceptional artists forging metal magically transformed by fire. Featuring silversmith Chloe Darke, Old Newbury Crafters, artist Tom Pullin, Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, and sculptor... MORE »

Watch a preview of the FORGE, HOLIDAY and INDUSTRY episodes.

Albert Paley paints The Promise, commissioned for the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital at Maple Grove Enterprises. From fabricating art jewelry, to forging iron gates, to the creation of large-scale sculptures commissioned for public and private spaces worldwide, Albert... MORE »

FORGE episode Chloe Darke and Old Newbury Crafters segment

FORGE episode Albert Paley segment

Retired Brigadier General Nolen Bivens, featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America, introduces us to veterans who are using the G.I. Bill to study at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. These artists are Jeremiah... MORE »

CROSSROADS

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: CROSSROADS episode. How do borders and personal crossroads affect an artist? How do science and craft interact? How do other cultures influence American style and technique? This episode explores... MORE »

Potter Jeff Oestreich describes his work

Sculptor, designer, activist, textile artist, Tanya Aguiñiga talks about the community of Maclovio Rojas in Mexico, the use of recycled materials, namely garage doors made into houses which were discarded and transported from the United States.

Charles Kernaghan on Terese Agnew’s Portrait of a Textile Worker

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: THREADS episode. THREADS explores the needle arts including weaving, storytelling through quilts and textiles that speak to the creativity of the human spirit. Featuring Terese Agnew, Randall Darwall, Faith Ringgold,... MORE »

Faith Ringgold on the process of creating Tar Beach

Collectors Margarete and David Harvey on Terese Agnew’s work

Fiber artist Terese Agnew describes how the idea of Portrait of a Textile Worker came to being. The image which is constructed of thousands of clothing labels stitched together is about the exploitation and abuse of laborers, the by-products of globalization... MORE »

Weaver Randall Darwall on craft shows

Laura Perez on Consuelo Jimenez Underwood

Designer Brian Murphy and weaver Randall Darwall have been working in New England for over thirty years. What began as an individual in the studio has evolved steadily into a small collaborative community of artisans creating unique textiles that... MORE »

Dorian Bergen discusses the history of ACA Galleries in New York City, which represents artist Faith Ringgold.

FAMILY

Seattle glass artists Dante Marioni and Preston Singletary collaborate on glass and talk about their friendship. Marioni and Singletary met in high school and have stayed connected, personally and professionally, ever since.

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: FAMILY episode. Is talent inherited? What is it like to live in a household where objects are made by hand? This episode explores the creative environments and personal dynamics... MORE »

FAMILY episode Holly Lee & Cliff Lee segment

Woodturners Philip and Matt Moulthrop talk about the tools and methods that Ed developed. Ed Moulthrop works at the lathe and describes some of his pieces. Archival footage of Ed Moulthrop courtesy of American Association of Woodturners.

Third generation woodturner Matt Moulthrop talks about choosing his profession as a woodturner with the advice and support of his family.

An introduction to three generations of the Moulthrop family of woodturners, Ed, Philip, and Matt.

MESSAGES

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: MESSAGES episode. Many craft artists go beyond skill to personal and political expression. They use craft to tell a story, prove a point, experiment, or bring attention to contemporary... MORE »

Jewelry artist and sculptor Thomas Mann talks about the heart form and his “Techno-Romantic” design series.

Curator George Ciscle of the Baltimore Museum of Art, explores the messages embedded in various pieces of Joyce J. Scott’s work, including Man Eating Watermelon and No Mommy, Me from her “Mammy/Nanny” Series.

Storm Cycle: Wall Street is part of sculptor and jeweler Thomas Mann’s “Storm Cycle: An Artist’s Response to Hurricane Katrina” series. He tells the story behind this piece about an abandoned pet. Feeling an emotional urgency to understand and... MORE »

Storm Cycle: Angel is part of sculptor and jeweler Thomas Mann’s “Storm Cycle: An Artist’s Response to Hurricane Katrina” series. He talks about the inspiration of finding the broken angel and its significance. Feeling an emotional urgency to understand... MORE »

Storm Cycle: Mud ‘n Mold is part of sculptor and jeweler Thomas Mann’s “Storm Cycle: An Artist’s Response to Hurricane Katrina” series. He describes the piece and relates the shocking reality of the destructive floods. Feeling an emotional urgency to... MORE »

Mitchell Gaudet on using his craft to help recover from Hurricane Katrina

Ken Sager creates glass chains

This excerpt features Beth Lipman working with gaffers and assistants Alexandra Lozier, Jeremy Popelka, Erica Rosenfeld, Isaac Tecosky and Leo Tecosky at Urban Glass in Brooklyn, New York. Lipman’s work explores the symbolism of 17th century still life paintings... MORE »

Artist Joyce J. Scott on a necklace she beaded with a particularly controversial message.

PROCESS

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: PROCESS episode. What inspires a person to choose a career in craft? And how does one acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become a craft artist. Featuring the... MORE »

Ceramic artist Nikki Lewis visits her alma mater and speaks with Kansas City Art Institute professor Cary Esser and students about becoming an artist, and balancing teaching and working in the studio.

Jewelry artists and professors Roberta and Dave Williamson, take their students to the Brothers Antique Mall, discovering objects along the way that connect with them and to learn the process of making their own work.

Director of the Jewelry Center at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Jonathan Wahl, talks about the thrill of teaching beginner students to make jewelry.

Printmaker Tom Killion talks about his influences and inspiration as an artist. He is influenced by the Japanese artists, Katsushika Hokusai and Ando Hiroshige, and by using Japanese carving tools, he creates wood and linoleum block prints of landscape... MORE »

Ceramic artist Nikki Lewis demonstrates throwing a pot on the wheel.

Jewelers Roberta and Dave Williamson describe their process from designing, collecting and fabricating their work.

ORIGINS

Watch a 30 second preview of the Craft in America: ORIGINS episode. Craft traditions didn’t just appear, fully-formed and mature. Artists tie their work to early techniques and pass these practices on in a continuum of creativity. Featuring blacksmith... MORE »

Alex Matisse on slip trailing

Potter Vernon Owens talks about his son, Travis

John Paul Huguley, Founder of the American College of the Building Arts, talks about the school’s program and the origins of this young college which was originally established as the School of the Building Arts.

John Paul Huguley, founder of the American College of the Building Arts, talks about the tradition of blacksmithing and the blacksmithing program at the college.

The American College of the Building Arts is the first college in the United States to offer a Bachelor of Arts program in the Building Arts. Its founder, John Paul Huguley, talks about the six programs offered which include... MORE »

Joseph “Ronnie” Pringle, blacksmith at the Simmons forge, talks about working with his cousin, Philip Simmons.

Carlton Simmons, blacksmith at Simmons forge, talks about working and apprenticing with Philip Simmons. Carlton Simmons, nephew of Philip Simmons, enjoys the free style design in iron with an eye on nature. During the years of working as a... MORE »

Jim Bassler, weaver and professor, talks to his students about a Nazca period (200 BC – 700 AD) Peruvian textile, a seemingly simple yet sophisticated process of weaving. His work draws inspiration from pre-Columbian, Andean, and Mexican textile traditions.

Vernon Owens, master potter at Jugtown Pottery, talks about salt firing. Local clay is the foundation of clay bodies and many of the glazes.

Potter Travis Owens at Jugtown Pottery talks about how he started working at a young age. Jugtown Pottery and American Craft Shop, is located in Seagrove, NC in the community of Westmore and was started in 1917.

Nancy Sweezy (1921-2010), former Director of Jugtown Pottery, talks about handwork and what makes serious craft work. Jugtown Pottery, a working pottery and an American Craft Shop, is located in Seagrove, NC in the community of Westmore and was... MORE »

Nancy Sweezy (1921-2010), former Director of Jugtown Pottery examines the pots as they are unloaded from the kiln. Jugtown Pottery and its American Craft Shop, is located in Seagrove, NC in the community of Westmore and was started in... MORE »

Potter Mark Hewitt talks about 19th century African America slave David Drake, famous for his written words and poetry on pottery.

Jim Bassler, weaver and professor, talks about being an artist in California during the 60s. With his wife Veralee they made the decision to move to Oaxaca to began a program which introduced U.S. students to the culture on... MORE »

Fiber artist Aryana B. Londir and jeweler Kit Carson on how they met and the work involved in choosing their lives as artists.

Woodworker Mira Nakashima talks about the special edition guitar that was made in honor of her father, George Nakashima, by Martin Guitar Company. It is the only guitar made to honor someone who was not a musician.